Enermax Outs More Platimax 80PLUS Platinum PSUs Topping at 1500W

After the introduction of the first models with 750, 850 and 1200 Watt ratings in October of this year, Enermax now continues to expand its Platimax series with five new PSU units that are also 80PLUS Platinum certified.

Enermax' Platimax series is now comprised from a total of seven models that are rated to provide between 500 and 1500 Watts of power, and all of these feature an advanced series of technologies meant to improve power delivery.

One of the most important innovations introduced in the Platimax series is the Copper-Bridge Array transmission technology which replaces conventional wires to provide up to 3% better power regulation.

Enermax states that this improvement enables its PSUs to deliver cleaner DC power and raises the system's stability.

The Platimax power supplies feature between three and six 12V rails rated at either 25A or 30A each, and their combined power output varies according to the model.

As it's usually the case with high-end power supply units, Enermax' Platimax series features a modular cable design and all the models come bundled together with a wide variety of PCI Express connectors (both 6 and 8-pin) as well as with various SATA and MOLEX plugs.

Outside of the 80PLUS Platinum certifications, which ensures that the PSUs are able to deliver at least 94% efficiency in any usage scenario, Platimax power supplies are also compatible with the ErP Lot 6 standard.

The rest of the PSU features include 105°C Japanese electrolytic capacitors, a 13.9cm Twister-bearing fan (900 to 2000 RPM working speed), as well as the CordGuard and HeatGuard technologies.

The last one was designed to keep the fan running after the system was shut off in order to allow for the PSU to cool down.

Enermax has also provided us with prices for the Platimax power supply series and these range from £159.90 ($248 US), for the entry-level 500W unit, up to £334.90 ($520.9 US) for the top of the line 1500W model.

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Intel Core i5, Core i7 Ivy Bridge CPU Lineup Detailed

In the first part of 2012, Intel is expected to introduce its first chips based on the Ivy Bridge architecture, and recently the specs of the desktop version of these Core i5 and Core i7 parts were detailed in a table leaked by a Chinese website.

Since then, the website has blocked access to the thread in which the CPU info was listed, but fortunately, ComputerBase managed to capture a screen shot of these tables and posted it on their own forum.

This new info confirms some of the Core i5 and Core i7 specs revealed by previous leaks, but also adds some new details we haven’t seen published elsewhere.

According to this table, all third generation Intel Core i7 processors will integrate 4 CPU cores, 8 MB L3 cache and have Hyper-Threading and Turbo Boost technologies enabled.

The Core i7 parts, will also pack four CPU cores and support for the Turbo Boost technology (apart from the i5-3470T which is a dual-core SKU), but will come with 6MB of L3 cache and Hyper-Threading will be disabled.

As far as graphics is concerned, Intel will continue to use two separate GPUs in their desktop processors, as all Core i7 parts together with the Core i5-3475S and i5-3570K will come with the HD 4000 graphics unit, while the rest of the chips get the HD 2500.

No matter the GPU included, the base clock speed will remain the same (650MHz), but depending on the chip this can boosted to 1.05 - 1.15 GHz.

The rest of the Ivy Bridge CPU features list includes a built-in dual-channel memory controller supporting up to 1600MHz data rates, support for the AES instruction set, and the majority of Core i5 and Core i7 parts also get VT-d virtualization and Intel’s Trusted Execution technology.

As we have previously revealed, Intel is expected to release its first Ivy Bridge CPUs in April of 2012, the initial launch including third-generation Core i5 and Core i7 desktop products, and Core i7 mobile chips.

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More Kernel Vulnerabilities Found in Ubuntu OSes

Several more security vulnerabilities were recently discovered in the Linux kernel packages, affecting the Natty and Maverick backport, and EC2 Linux kernels of Ubuntu 10.04 LTS, and the OMAP4 Linux kernels of Ubuntu 10.10 and Ubuntu 11.04 operating systems.

The following vulnerabilities affect the Ubuntu 10.04 LTS (Lucid Lynx) Linux kernel backport from Natty: CVE-2011-2183, CVE-2011-2491, CVE-2011-2494, CVE-2011-2495, CVE-2011-2517, CVE-2011-2905, and CVE-2011-2909.

The following vulnerabilities affect the Ubuntu 10.04 LTS (Lucid Lynx) Linux kernel backport from Maverick: CVE-2011-1585, CVE-2011-2183, CVE-2011-2491, CVE-2011-2496, and CVE-2011-2517.

The following vulnerabilities affect the Ubuntu 10.04 LTS (Lucid Lynx) EC2 Linux kernel: CVE-2011-2491, CVE-2011-2496, CVE-2011-2517, and CVE-2011-2525.

The following vulnerabilities affect the Ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick Meerkat) Linux kernel for OMAP4: CVE-2011-1585 and CVE-2011-2496.

The following Linux kernel vulnerabilities affect the Ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal) operating system: CVE-2011-2183, CVE-2011-2479, CVE-2011-2491, CVE-2011-2494, CVE-2011-2495, CVE-2011-2496, CVE-2011-2517, CVE-2011-2905, CVE-2011-2909, and CVE-2011-3363.

As usual, you can click on each one to see how it affects your system, or go here, here, here, here and here for in-depth descriptions of the Linux kernel vulnerabilities.

The security flaws can be fixed if you upgrade your system(s) to the:

linux-image-2.6.38-13 (2.6.38-13.52~lucid1) package for Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Linux kernel backport from Natty;

linux-image-2.6.35-31 (2.6.35-31.62~lucid1) package for Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Linux kernel backport from Maverick;

linux-image-2.6.32-340-ec2 (2.6.32-340.40) package for Ubuntu 10.04 LTS EC2 kernel;

linux-image-2.6.35-903-omap4 (2.6.35-903.27) package for Ubuntu 10.10 OMAP4 kernel;

linux-image-2.6.38-1209-omap4 (2.6.38-1209.17) package for Ubuntu 11.04 OMAP4 kernel.

Don't forget to reboot your computer after the upgrade!

ATTENTION: Due to an unavoidable ABI change, the kernel packages have a new version number, which will force you to reinstall and recompile all third-party kernel modules you might have installed. Moreover, if you use the linux-restricted-modules package, you have to update it as well to get modules which work with the new Linux kernel version.

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NZXT Outs HAVIK 120 CPU Cooler with LGA 2011 Support

NZXT has just unveiled a new CPU cooler, dubbed the HAVIK 120, that was designed to be compatible with a wide series of sockets from both AMD and Intel, including the recently launched LGA 2011 platform. 

The new cooler is actually a slightly more compact version of the HAVIK 140 which has now been fitted with four 8mm heatpipes for drawing the heat produced by the CPU in an aluminum heatsink.

This is seconded by a 120mm fan with aluminum blades that, as most other such solutions available today, is PWM controlled for adapting its speed depending on the temperature of the processor.

According to NZXT, this can vary between 1200 and 1500 RPM, delivering from 61.5 to 75.8 CFM of airflow, while the noise output level is rated at a maximum 22dBA (18dBA minimum).

Performance freaks should be glad to know that NZXT’s latest creation can be fitted with a secondary 120mm to create a push-pull configuration.

Outside of the 120mm fan, the HAVIK 120 is also shipped together with an additional pair of fan mounting clips as well as with the required AMD and Intel CPU mounting clips.

These are compatible with Intel's LGA 1155, LGA 1156, and LGA 2011 sockets and can also be used with AMD's AM2, AM3, AM3+ and FM1 processor mounts.

“HAVIK 120 is a great victory for overclockers seeking a small yet powerful fan cooler that won’t break the bank” said Johnny Hou, Founder and Chief Designer at NZXT.

“The original HAVIK 140 has been highly decorated with awards in the enthusiast community. HAVIK 120 should yield similar performance in a slightly smaller form factor for under $60,” concludes the company’s rep.

According to the company, the HAVIK 120 is available right now with a $54.99 MSRP, which translates into about 41 EUR.

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Gigabyte Booktop Tablet Hybrid T1132 Gets Its Formal Wear

Gigabyte may be aiming to score some holiday sales with its newest convertible tablet, or perhaps not, given that Booktop is more a name that fits with educational venues than consumers.

Then again, people from around the world are known to seek out various things, so they may very well consider the new Gigabyte product as a viable Christmas present (assuming, of course, that the company will even get around to selling it by that time).

Or they won't. After all, the price of $1,300 is not precisely what one would look for right off  the bat, not in this economy at least.

Still, there will always be people free of monetary concerns, so the tag won't be of very great consequence.

Also, that isn't really its price. That was kept secret. $1,300 is what the somewhat weaker T1125 sells for, though this isn't a point to rejoice over.

That said, the Booktop T1131, as it is called, features an Intel core i5-2467M central processing unit, with a clock speed of 1.6 GHz.

That chip is paired with an NVIDIA GeForce GT520M GPU (graphics processing unit) which has 1 GB of VRAM.

As such, the Optimus technology is, predictably enough, present and accounted for.

It is this feature that knows how much graphical prowess an application demands and automatically switches between the integrated GPU of the CPU and the discrete card.

Gigabyte doesn't make it completely clear how much memory or storage people can expect from this pricey beast. They are no doubt customizable though.

 On the other hand, the company doesn't make a secret of the USB 3.0 connectivity (one port), nor of the USB 2.0 port, eSATA and HDMI.

Gigabyte set up a sort of contest via Facebook, which will hand out some Booktop T1132 models for free. Check out the rules of it all here.

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ASUS Transformer Prime Set for December 8, 2011

We know people have been wondering how much longer they'll have to wait for the mighty Transformer Prime tablet to show up, and so have we, but we might not have to wonder anymore. 

Newegg set the tablet up as available for pre-order, but this isn't really news.

What the web did only now notice (probably because the tidbit wasn't available before) is that the release date of December 8 now figures on this product page (unless it changed between the writing of this blog and the time of reading, as such things tend to).

That means that the thing will show up in a little over a week.

Now all we have to wonder about is whether or not it will sell out within minutes/hours, like its predecessor did.

Knowing the Kal-El, it shouldn't be too hard to live up to that example, although ASUS will probably be better prepared on the supply side this time.

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PR1.2 Software Update for Nokia N950 Now Available for Download

It looks like Nokia plans to release a new software update for the Nokia N9. The PR1.2 software update has just been spotted and is now available for download for N950 devices.

However, the Nokia N950 is a developer-only device and is not available commercially, but the update might soon reach the N9.

The folks over at Phonosfera took some screenshots and found lots of new features and tweaks that will probably be available on the Nokia N9 as well.

Apparently, the camera interface features a separate setting option for the flash, while on the Applications menu there’s a new button that allows users to manage apps.

A new Colour profile option is now available in the Display menu. With the Face recognition feature placed in the Gallery menu, users will be able to save name to their photos using automatic face recognition.

More screenshots with the new PR1.2 for the Nokia N950 can be found on Phonosfera’s forum thread.

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Intel Prepares to Retire Celeron Brand Says Report

Intel’s Celeron brand has been with us for over ten years now, but according to some recent reports the chip maker is now getting ready to retire this name from its lineup and replace it with Pentium CPUs.

While nothing is sure at this point in time, Tweak Town seems to believe that the introduction of the recent Pentium 350 aimed at micro-servers seems to be a sign that the Celeron line will be replaced with Pentium CPUs.

This assumption seems a bit far-fetched if you were to ask me, although retiring Celeron does actually make some sense as Intel has just too many CPU brands to keep track off and this will, to some degree, simplify its naming schemes.

Until now, Intel’s Pentium line was positioned between the high-end Core range and the low-end Celeron series.

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EVGA GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores Classified Pictured Ahead of Launch

In just a few days from now, Nvidia is expected to release a new performance oriented graphics core, dubbed the GTX 560 Ti 448 Core, and EVGA plans to use this GPU in an upcoming Classified model which was just revealed by a series of leaked pictures.

EVGA’s new creation will make use of the same cooling solution as that installed by the company in a series of previous DS models, which relies on two large diameter fans for dissipating the heat produced by the card while running.

In addition to providing better cooling, this setup also allowed EVGA to raise the clocks of its Classified model over those recommended by Nvidia for the GTX 560 Ti Cores.

As a result, the GPU now runs at 797MHz, as Hardcore Hardware reveals, while the GDDR5 memory will work at the same 950MHz (3800MHz data rate) frequency as in Nvidia’s stock design.

The GeForce GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores is based on the same GF110 GPU as that used in the powerful GTX 580 and GTX 570, but has two of its 16 streaming modules disabled.

This leaves the GPU with 448 CUDA cores, hence its name, 56 texture units, 40 ROP units and a 320-bit memory bus connected to 1.25GB of video buffer, just as is the case with the GeForce GTX 570.

The close specs of the two cards, also means that they feature similar performance, a graph detailing the speed of the GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores in Battlefield 3, which was published by Nvidia a short while ago, revealing that the GTX 560 Ti 448 Core should be almost as fast as the GTX 570.

From the information that is available until now, the GTX 560 Ti 448 Cores will make its debut on November 29, with a recommended retail price of $289 (about 218 EUR). EVGA’s Classified model is expected to surpass this MSRP.

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iPhone 5 and iPad 3 Displays Made by Hitachi, Sony

Citing an unnamed Asian source, Japanese blog Makotakara claims Hitachi Displays, Ltd. and Sony Mobile Display Corporation have started to ship 4-inch LCD panels for the iPhone 5, and also LCD panels for iPad 3.

The Japanese blog notes that the two companies will merge their businesses with Toshiba Mobile Display Co., Ltd., to become "Japan Display" in Spring 2012.

Apple, however, also has Sharp aboard for iPad 3 screen production. A Wall Street Journal report recently got picked up by the Apple blogosphere as it added further confirmation that Apple had tapped Sharp to make the screens used in its next-generation iPads.

The Cupertino, California-based Apple is reportedly looking to diversify component suppliers for its entire product line. The reasons are uncertain, but we can all agree it’s best to have more than one supplier for the key parts in your products.

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